The People versus the Military: Egypt's marriage of convenience in trouble

Published June 1st, 2011 - 10:05 GMT

Given a tradition of tight relations between the military and the state (for now, the people), Egypt could be forgiven for expecting a promising and blossoming bond to prevail after Mubarak's ouster February 11, 2001. The first encounters between the armed forces and civilians were quite warm: and people celebrated together with an army they claimed was of and from them after all. Protesters jumped on tanks in joy and paused to take pictures with military forces in khaki uniforms.

Since Mubarak fell and handed over power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), officially ending his 30-year political reign, the relationship has been tested. Egypt is under the rule of generals who have affirmed their commitment to the people’s revolution and pledged to establish a civil democratic order overseeing the drafting of a consitution.

Yet, in recent weeks, this military-civilian honeymoon appeared to be souring, unleashing scrutiny over the SCAF's performance and bringing into doubt the familiar slogan “The military and the people are one hand.” Nor has the army directed its roughened-hand and tough measures toward Mubarak and family who the people still wish to see brought to account.

A look in pictures at the romance between people and army, leding up to the latest CNN reports on women torture complete with 'virginity test' and military trials that may pronounce this 59 year- romance dead? And so close to celebrating their 60th anniversary!

Given a tradition of tight relations betwee the military and the state (now the people), Egypt could be forgiven for expecting a blossoming bond to prevail after Mubarak's ouster February 11, 2001. But signs of an abusive relationship between people and army suggest that this romance might be dead, as a political stand-off ensues.